Solar wind parameters over the past 24 hours were indicative of an overall slow, but mildly disturbed environment and likely proximity to the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). Total IMF strength was variable and ranged from 6 to 8 nT early Monday morning, February 26, but decreased to from 1 to 6 nT after about 09:00 UTC. The Bz component was variable with a few prolonged periods of southward direction. Solar wind speed was variable and ranged from 475 – 375 km/s before it started increasing again around 20:35 UTC. The phi angle oscillated frequently between sectors.

Solar wind speed peaked at 493 km/s just before 06:00 UTC and the parameters are still disturbed due to connection with an extension of the negative polarity, south polar CH HSS. Solar wind speed is anticipated to remain elevated on February 28, but will likely begin to decrease as the CH HSS begins to rotate away from a geoeffective position.

Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on February 28 as CH HSS influences continue, but wane.

Solar activity was very low over the past 24 hours. New NOAA/SWPC Region 2700 (N06W13, Cro/beta) was assigned to an emergent, bipolar spot group on February 26. The spot group steadily matured but stalled growth by the end of the day. Very little magnetic shear was present and the region produced only a few minor B-flares; the largest being a B3/Sf at 15:51 UTC, February 26. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

Solar activity is expected to remain very low, with a slight chance for C-class flares over the next three days due primarily to the slight flare potential of Region 2700.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at normal to high levels over the past 24 hours, with a maximum flux of 2,130 pfu at 21:00 UTC, February 26, and is expected to continue at moderate to high levels over the next 3 days. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background values and is expected to remain like that.

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found atwww.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.Induced Currents – Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms.Spacecraft – Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible.Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes.Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found atwww.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

Featured image: Taken by Andrei (enjoy the arctic) on February 26, 2018 @ Tromso, Norway. Credit: EnjoyTheArctic